The General Chat Thread (2016-2022)

[JAS_OH1]

A few times a year, I see a possum wondering through my backyard. I had one taking a nap on a branch in my oak tree while I sat on the patio once. Psycho-poodle never saw it.

CD

He couldn't smell, it, either? I would imagine since they are scavengers and will eat just about anything that they have fetid breath. Plus not sure if they groom themselves or not, but they sure are ugly creatures!

 

[JAS_OH1]

Is that a possum? We don't have them here...

I think technically it's an opossum. They are distinctly different animals though they do look similar.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Reef ball burials: the new trend for becoming ‘coral’ when you die

I found this interesting. I already would like to be cremated upon death, why not be turned into an artificial reef?

 

[caseydog]

I think technically it's an opossum. They are distinctly different animals though they do look similar.

I just KNEW you were going to say something about opossum.

All of the ones in North American are the same animal, just called two different names by different people.

CD

 

[TastyReuben]

I just KNEW you were going to say something about opossum.

All of the ones in North American are the same animal, just called two different names by different people.

CD

We usually see one and say, “Oh, possum.”

 

[JAS_OH1]

I just KNEW you were going to say something about opossum.

All of the ones in North American are the same animal, just called two different names by different people.

CD

No, people in the US mistakenly refer to opossum as possum. They are not the same creatures. I saw plenty of them in Florida growing up and people down there made the same mistake. Our teacher in the 3rd grade of elementary school taught us the difference.
Here: What Is the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My husband is teaching the chicks to play fetch!

Let's set if this works...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

No, people in the US mistakenly refer to opossum as possum. They are not the same creatures. I saw plenty of them in Florida growing up and people down there made the same mistake. Our teacher in the 3rd grade of elementary school taught us the difference.
Here: What Is the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

I was thinking to myself that they look nothing like the possums we get here! Now I know why.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Near miss with a fox just now. No injuries or losses thankfully but I had the chicks outside in the “maternity ward” as we call it. It doubles as a sick pen or even chick pen when needed. It’s only the 2nd time I’ve had the chicks in it because they are still too young to go without heat for long at all.

So I thought I’d water the potted olive trees whilst they were digging around in the dirt but I couldn’t find the watering can. So I walked around to the front of the house to be confronted by wildlife including birds flying or running towards me. Right at the back heading towards me up the track was a fox. The last fox attack we had here I lost 32 birds, most show bird quality heritage breeds so +$100 a head and I lost my top chook in that attack. That was 3½ years ago.

I chased it down the track and it set off into a field so next stop was to round up the chicks, so I could them round up the flock into the various enclosures at the house. Their main enclosure is further up, away from the house surrounded by a poultry electric fence that foxes do not like climbing over at all (flexible fencing that has a nasty kick to it and it's their underside that gets that kick!)

Lucky escape but it means that the chooks won’t be free ranging for a while. But now that we are Aussie citizens as our landlord has rightly pointed out, we can now apply for a fire arms licence. He’s happy for us to shoot foxes (and rabbits) on his land because it will help protect his lambs & sheep.

 

[caseydog]

No, people in the US mistakenly refer to opossum as possum. They are not the same creatures. I saw plenty of them in Florida growing up and people down there made the same mistake. Our teacher in the 3rd grade of elementary school taught us the difference.
Here: What Is the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

Let me restate... "All of the ones in North American are the same animal, just called two different names by different people."

We don't have Australian possums in North America. We have opossums, which are commonly called possums. So, when one American says "opossum," and another American says "possum," they are talking about the same thing.

CD

 

[Lullabelle]

I knew the sunshine was too good to be true

 

[kaneohegirlinaz]

Every since we left Hawaii, at least once a year I get what I think is a bite of some sort,
about this time of year, when we get a warm snap.

I felt it start up this past Saturday.
I cleaned the wound and put a bandage with some antibiotic ointment on it.

Today it looks like this.
It's a little tender, but not so bad really.
I was thinking that it's a spider bite ...

Anyone have thoughts on this?
I'd certainly appreciate them ...

 

[Rocklobster]

Where do you get these and how long do they last before healing and going away?

 

[kaneohegirlinaz]

Where do you get these and how long do they last before healing and going away?

On my bum and they'll last for weeks.

 

[Rocklobster]

Have you ever been tested for shingles?